A man in Rochester, New York, was recently hit with 5 speeding tickets after the state’s photo radar camera took pictures of him going over the speed limit 5 times. The man had been traveling 55 mph in a construction zone where the speed limit was actually 40 mph. He didn’t know the speed limit.
The law is the law, regardless of what the man assumed. You can be sincerely wrong, and yet still be given 5 speeding tickets. A woman who received a $50 radar ticket in the same city said, “I thought it was a scam. I wasn’t happy.”
Something far worse happens to people who knowingly or unknowingly break God’s Law. And I assure you it is no scam. Many people do not realize that all of their thoughts, words and deeds are being recorded in Heaven. And their sins (“speeding tickets”) are piling up.
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The Bible describes this scene on Judgment Day: “The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books” (Revelation 20:12). All of your deeds are being recorded in these books, whether you realize it or not, just like the man who was ticketed 5 times for speeding.
The Bible states: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). When you stand before Jesus on Judgment Day, you will either be under law, or under grace. The only way to be under grace is for your name to be written in “the book of life” by trusting Jesus as your Savior. Scripture declares, “If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
Jesus suffered and died on the cross to pay for your sins so that you can be covered by God’s grace and forgiven of your sins. Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
And of course, every follower of Christ sincerely wants to live for the Lord. Jesus produces this inner transformation within the children of God. Jesus is the vine and we are the branches (see John 15:1-8). “God works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
Why do you suppose most people seem to pay more attention to the laws of the land than to God’s Law in the Bible? Think about some of the things certain people would never do because of the criminal penalties that would be imposed if they were caught, tried and convicted.
God’s Law is unwavering. The Bible states, “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:20). And Scripture also declares, “Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it” (James 2:10). You might be tempted to think you are less of a sinner than other people. But in Heaven, you and I have piled up far more “speeding tickets” than we can imagine.
Jesus said, “I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words, you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
When was the last time you spoke a sinful word to someone? Do you realize that one careless word is enough to send you to Hell? Jesus said, “I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment … Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Hell” (Matthew 5:22).
God sees everything and knows everything. This fact alone should give you plenty of motivation to make every effort necessary in order to please your Creator. “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Everything will be brought into the light on Judgment Day. The Bible says, “This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ” (Romans 2:16).
If you are a follower of Christ, the Holy Spirit wants to empower you to live each day as though Jesus died yesterday, arose from the grave today, and is coming back tomorrow. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).
So, as you continue to travel down the road of life, always remember that your thoughts, words and actions are being recorded in Heaven. But rather than throwing your hands up in despair, believe what the Bible teaches about being under grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul wrote “to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7). Heaven is our home, and Christ is producing good things in us and through us. Paul made it very clear to believers in Jesus Christ: “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14).
God’s grace and forgiveness motivate us to “find out what pleases the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). Your speeding tickets (sins) that are piling up in Heaven will not be used against you on Judgment Day. You see, “You have been set free from sin,” as well as from the penalty that will be handed down in God’s courtroom to every sinner who is under law, rather than under grace.
You will never be offered a better plea deal! But you can only accept it while you are still here on Earth. Come to the cross today. Embrace Christ’s payment for your sins. Accept the plea deal. It is the only way to be pardoned of your sins and receive everlasting life in Heaven! (see John 14:6 & Acts 4:12).
Dan Delzell is the pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Papillion, Nebraska.
